The State of Your State

In his third State of the State address, Governor Matt Blunt unveiled a new healthcare program for low income Missourians to replace Medicaid that Democrats say lacks substance.

During the Governor's 58-minute address, Blunt laid out more details on Missouri HealthNet, a program he promises will "improve access to affordable healthcare for every Missourian."

Watch my KY3 News @ 10 report on Gov. Blunt's State of the State address by clicking HERE.

Here are the highlights from the Governor's address:

Mo. HealthNet

• "Missouri HealthNet is not a minor reform. It is an entirely new system. It will stand apart from what any other state has done or is doing," Blunt said.
• The program will focus on prevention and wellness
• Blunt guarantees the program "will guarantee that every participant has access to primary and preventative care."
• It will include healthcare homes, which participants can use as a central place to develop improved health and avoid unnecessary treatments and hospitalization
• HealthNet will include health risk assessments of participants, and pay providers for results, "not just visits or tests. " "In addition to providing all these benefits, HealthNet will also give participants incentives," Blunt said.
• Blunt wants $60 million for federally qualified health centers
• He's proposing lawmakers cut the franchise tax for businesses that provide health insurance.
• Blunt favors employer association health plans and says employers and employees should be able to pay premiums with tax free dollars

Education

• $214m new dollars for K through 12 classrooms
• $2.9m for 100 technology classrooms in 100 different schools
• "The St. Louis City school district is failing our children. It is failing to provide a basic education to thousands of young Missourians," Blunt said. "For me no option is off the table."
• Blunt made a strong suggestion to the Coordinating Board for Higher Ed: "No tuition increase should exceed the rate of inflation."
• $40m new dollars for higher ed
• Increase in need based-scholarships from $27.5 m to $72.5m
• Blunt asked lawmakers to "act with urgency" on MOHELA, by selling loans "held by other people in other states and bring $335m home"

What Else He Wants

• Legislation that creates competition for all companies that want to provide telecommunications and cable services
• A tax cut package that would eliminate taxes on social security benefits
• $200,000 for an Alternatives to Abortion program, and legislation to make it permanent in the statute
• Legislation that guarantees Missourians will retain their 2nd Amendment rights, especially in times of emergency
• Mandatory death penalty for cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer

What will he get? What should he get? And what do Democrats have to say?

More to come . . .